A search is on for an albino monocled cobra on the loose in Thousand Oaks, prompting Los Angeles County officials to alert the public to be watchful of the venomous snake.

A resident reported that his dog was bitten by the snake on Monday, and he promptly alerted officials.

Not generally found in California, cobras are native to Southeast Asia. They can grow up to five feet long, and it is illegal to own one, said Los Angeles County spokesman Brandon Dowling. He said the owner has not been found.

“This is not something you would encounter in the wild,” Dowling said Wednesday.

Officials said cobras may move at any time of day but are more active during the cooler morning or evening hours. They will strike if cornered, officials warned.

L.A. County officials notified the Ventura County Medical Center emergency room and have identified a source of anti-venin at the San Diego Zoo, if necessary.

The dog was taken to a local animal hospital, where the vet confirmed the pet suffered from a cobra bite, Dowling said.

More in News

The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency, rather than just to undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral system, according to officials briefed on the matter.